Originally posted by dhk
Just replaced the cable on my right (RD) downtube shifter last week. As boudreaux said, it failed right at the lever end where it flexes. The condition was obvious when several frayed ends starting poking me in the index finger every time I shifted.
After 11 years, guess this is an expected failure. The LBS charged $3.95 for the new inner cable. They come about twice as long now as needed for downtube shifters.
The install was about a minute, plus a little time to tune the adjuster at the RD. Old school downtube shifters are pretty easy to maintain; probably a bit more work to replace on the STI or Ergo levers.
Dan